Peer Review Guidelines

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Criteria for Peer Feedback

1. Read through the introduction.
  • Does the writer grab your attention with a quotation, fact, or anecdote?
  • Does the introduction follow the inverted triangle model?
  • What method has the writer chosen?
  • Is the goal of the introduction easily identifiable? Why/why not?
  • Is the writing free of sentence-level and mechanical areas?
2. Take a look at the thesis.
  • Is it clearly stated?
  • Is it argumentative? (In other words, is it a claim that your readers can choose to agree/disagree with?
  • Is it free of sentence-level and mechanical errors?
3. Move on to the body paragraphs.
  • How are the body paragraphs organized? Is this a good choice? Why/why not?
  • Is it clear to the reader how and why the body paragraphs have been arranged in this manner?
  • Are the body paragraphs structured logically?
  • Does each paragraph present a(n) identifiable topic, subtopic(s), and examples?
  • Does the writer effectively use transitions to guide the reader?
4. Read through the conclusion.
  • Does the writer synthesize previous points?
  • Does the writer tie a part of the conclusion to the introduction?
  • Does the writer introduce new ideas/information in the conclusion? If so, suggest an area to relocate this content.
  • Does the writer restate the thesis? Take a look to ensure that it hasn’t been restated word for word.
  • Does the writer look to the future of the topic, issue, or concern? As a reader, are you left with a sense of closure?
5. Take note of the MLA citations.
  • Did the writer utilize the minimum number of sources?
  • How are the sources integrated into the essay?
  • Is the research cited appropriately in MLA style?
  • Is the Works Cited page formatted correctly?
6. Take at the look at the academic tone and style.
  • Has the writer used a proper academic tone for research writing at the college level?
  • Is the writing argumentative? Is it authoritative?
  • Does the writer take note of any opposite viewpoints on the issue at hand?